In this post we welcome guest writer Chuck Rizzo, a wildlife biologist for the Forest Preserves of Cook County, who describes his work with local birds, including a fascinating description of a leucistic Red-Tailed hawk
Montrose Trail Renovation Update
The trail along the Magic Hedge at Montrose Bird Sanctuary may be the most travelled birding path in the city, and it’s undergoing significant renovations, which have many birders concerned about this special place. CAS sat down with Matt Freer, Assistant Director of Landscape for the Chicago Park District (CPD) to find out what exactly is being done.
Name the 2021 Piping Plover Chicks Contest
Monty & Rose Nesting at Montrose
Monty and Rose have a nest at Montrose! Read all about it at Chicago Piping Plovers website, and wear your plover love with their official logo design or a plover flag design.
Meet Our New Board Members
We’ve recently added three new members to our board, and we are extremely excited to have them join us on our mission to connect people with birds and conservation in the Chicago area! Adriana Garcia, Daniela Herrera, and Sunshine Cahill have already gotten involved with multi-lingual birdwalks and we’re looking forward to their additional future involvement in sharing their passion for birds and birding.
Notes from a Casual Birder: On Jonathan Meiburg’s A Most Remarkable Creature
Regular contributor Miyako Pleines reviews the latest book from ornithologist, writer and musician Jonathon Meiburg as he studies the fascinating caracara. “Perhaps the most striking thing about Meiburg’s book is not just that he paints the world of the caracara so vividly, but that alongside the history of these beautiful birds, Meiburg manages to tell a story of South America and its geography that is just as riveting as the birds of prey that call it home.”
Spring Bird Count 2021
The Up & Up: Loons and Grebes
It’s springtime and that means bird migrations are upon us! Many species are returning from their wintering grounds. Given Chicago’s proximity to the fabulous Lake Michigan, we’re going to discuss waterfowl for this edition of the Up & Up – specifically loons and grebes, including where you might find them in Cook County.
Explore Birding Hotspots for New Birds
Would you like to expand your birding and explore new local natural areas? Check out Chicago Audubon’s Birding Hotspots section for a list of local birding hotspots throughout the city and nearby suburbs. We’ve compiled a list based on geographic areas of the city and suburbs, and included images, descriptions, and maps.
Shop for Native Plants and Help Birds
Help birds with beautiful native plants, and support the Chicago Audubon Society - shop our online native plant sale for a wide variety of perennials. Order online and pick up at North Park Village Nature Center on Sunday afternoon, May 23. We partner with partners with Pizzo Native Plant Nursery to provide native plants from local and regional ecotypes for sale, many of which are difficult to find in big box stores. Proceeds of the sale help to fund CAS’s successful bird conservation programs such as the push for a bird- friendly buildings ordinance.
Montrose Dune Natural Area Expansion Approved
Piping Plover Action Day 04/11/2021
In 2019, a pair of endangered Great Lakes Piping Plovers arrived at Montrose Beach and began nesting. In spite of numerous challenges and with the help of countless volunteers, the pair dubbed Monty and Rose, successfully raised a family and returned do so again in 2020. Now with spring migration is underway, we’re eagerly anticipating the return of Chicago’s famous plover pair to Montrose Beach once again to nest.
To prepare their summer home and help give this year’s chicks the best chance at survival, we’re going to do some spring cleaning. On Sunday, April 11th, join us for a beach clean up at Montrose Beach. All are welcome and no prior experience or equipment necessary but RSVP is required.
To help maintain social distancing keep group sizes small, we ask that volunteers sign up for one of four rolling time slots; 10:00am, 10:30am, 11:00am, and 11:30am. To RSVP, email ActionDays@sheddaquarium.org with your desired time and number of people attending.
This event is proudly organized by the following partners: Shedd Aquarium, Chicago Ornithological Society, Chicago Audubon Society, Illinois Ornithological Society, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, IL Department of Natural Resources, and the Chicago Park District.
Notes from a Casual Birder: On Sandhill Cranes
Racial Equity Book Club: Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors
Upper Des Plaines River Blitz Gets Off to a Great Start
Survival of Carolina wrens
Have you seen a Carolina wren recently? Although their range has steadily expanded in the last few decades, our unpredictable weather, especially sudden cold snaps, seem to make it difficult for them to proliferate here in the Chicago area. John Elliot shares his recent observations on this chatty bird noted for its curved beak.
ACTION ALERT: Stop Dangerous Feral Cat Legislation
The Up & Up: Updates to Federal Damage to Birds and the Environment
Poet's Corner: Ornithography by Billy Collins
Birding During The Pandemic: A Purist’s Approach
With a Cook County big year in progress when Chicago’s lakefront was suddenly shut down for the pandemic, local birder Isoo O’Brien had to respond creatively. This meant getting back to basics and listening to the land. In the process, this passionate young birder found some hidden birding gems in Cook County. Read this compelling narrative and discover 2 new birding hotspots.